Ambulance crash

[NicoleCPST]

When DD was 8no she was transported as a precaution after a MVA. They removed her from her MA abs stairs her into a papoose type thing then strapped that to the gurney.

 

[bccrst]

DD was transferred loose in an incubator (non-emergent transfer to a step-down nursery.) I've seen other babies arrive here in similar circumstances at least velcroed into their incubators. Our trip wasn't long.

DD2 had two ambulance transfers, as well as a medical flight, in an incubator, and no one ever mentioned velcroing her down. I don't remember any of the babies that came through either of the hospitals being in anything other than an incubator (sometimes strapped to a stretcher, sometimes as a stand alone unit). That's cool that there's another option, even if it's not always used! I clearly remember feeling my heart in my throat during the medivac transfer when we hit turbulence and I had to hold onto DD inside the incubator. Not fun.

DS had an ambulance ride around 7mo, and I insisted on strapping him into his seat and installing it on the stretcher. The paramedics thought I was nuts, but the subject had just recently been discussed on here, so I at least kinda knew how to do it. And given the roads we were travelling to get to the hospital, there was no way he was going unrestrained, as his condition wasn't serious enough to risk it.

 

[Kecia]

Just Fyi - we have blog on the subject of ambulance transport here: Proper Installation of Convertible Carseat on an Ambulance Cot

Unfortunately Ambulance crashes aren't uncommon. I was employed by an EMS provider for 5 years and they had so many crashes that their insurance company dropped them. They found a new insurance company but this company mandated that every employee, including myself, had to take CEVO training which is basically like Defensive Driving for ambulance drivers.

For what it's worth - Dr. Nadine Levick has done more research on the topic than anyone else I know. Her website is here: http://www.objectivesafety.net/

 

[fyrfightermomma]

Children should be restrained in either an ambulance approved restraint on the cot or in a convertible car seat on the cot. Back of the seat touches the back of the cot and a belt through each belt path. So technically rear facing but also technically using the seat incorrectly. But there are few other options. This is for non critical patients.

Critical patients we honestly don't worry about. Ambulance crashes are so rare to begin with and you have to have priorities in emergency medicine. Life safety comes before restraints. Not the best but true.


Any completely stable child is placed on the captains seat facing backwards in either a built in restraint or a convertible seat again facing rear facing (the ambulance seat not the car seat)

Any extra passenger should be transported by another means

Infant seats cannot be safely or properly installed in an ambulance in most cases

 

[TechnoGranola]

I have no idea what age/weight this harnes starts from, but DD rode in it last summer. It's a rear facing 5-point harness in our ambulances here:

The seat reclines if necessary as well as it's built into the ambulance seat.